Given name & surname
Greer
“one who is alert and watchful”·“watchful”·“one who is vigilant; watch-”
Greer is a feminine form of Gregory. Interpretations include “watchful” and “one who is vigilant; watch-” (Greek). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Scottish use, Greer carries the interpretation “one who is alert and watchful.” Greer is a feminine form of Gregory. Interpretations include “watchful” and “one who is vigilant; watch-” (Greek). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Scottish.
How it developed
Greer is used as a feminine counterpart of Gregory.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1912. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Greer is a feminine form of Gregory. The history of Gregory gives this family its wider story. Gregory’s historical associations include a number of early saints.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Greer through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,818
- 733 boys · 3,085 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 137 babies
- 2025
- 137
- #1,851 for girls · #3,789 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +8%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 20% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 108 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,851 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 5.4% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 29 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (15). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,050 as a first name in 2020; 55,088 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Greer’s family of names
Greer is a feminine form of Gregory. Greer is a contracted form of Gregor. Greer has a related form in Gregory.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Greer
- Greer GarsonBritish-American actress (1904-1996)
- Greer GrammerAmerican actressborn 1992
- Greer StevensSouth African female tennis playerborn 1957
- Greer SkousenMexican basketball player (1916–1988)
- Greer LanktonAmerican artist (1958–1996)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Greer, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Imogen
“a maiden” · “one who is innocent and pure”
>99% girls
Roslin
“a little red-haired boy”
>99% girls
Lucy
“light”
>99% girls
McBeth
“the son of Beth”
—
Mctighe
“son of the poet”
—
Heeney
“God is gracious”
—
Gretel
“resembling a pearl”
>99% girls
Mctigue
“son of the poet”
—